Superman - Ride of Steel (Six Flags New England)

Infobox roller coaster
name=Superman: Ride of Steel


imagedimensions=300px
caption=
location=Six Flags New England
locationarticle=
section=DC Superhero Adventures
type=Steel
type2=Hypercoaster
status=Operating
opened=May 5, 2000
manufacturer=Intamin AG
designer=Werner Stengel
model=Megacoaster
track=Out & Back and Twister
lift=Chain lift hill
height=208
drop=221
length=5400
speed=77
inversions=0
duration=2:35
angle=72
capacity= 1300 Riders Per Hour
cost=$36,000,000
acceleration=
gforce=3
restriction=54
rcdb_number=628

Superman: Ride of Steel is a steel megacoaster at Six Flags New England. It boasts a 208 foot lift, 221 foot drop, and just over a mile of track. Superman has been critically acclaimed since its debut, winning the Amusement Today Golden Ticket Award for "Best Steel Roller Coaster" in 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Ride Update

Going above and beyond traditional steel coasters, this state-of-the-art invention will undergo a revolutionary makeover. The adventure will send riders up 20 stories while flying through fog banks, fire bursts and heart-pumping audio for three minutes and twenty two seconds of extreme thrills. Expected to be finished by Labor Day 2009.

Accidents

*In 2001, one of the trains failed to stop at the ride's ending due to a severe brake leak, colliding with the other train in the loading station. 22 people were injured.

*In 2004, a man was thrown from his seat during the last turn of the ride and was killed. The cause of this accident was due to (1) the girth of the victim, (2) pre-existing medical condition, (3) varied seat belt sizes, and (4) failure of the ride attendant to recognize that the lapbar was inadequately applied. As a result of this incident, the park enhanced each lapbar with a component that rests on the outside of the rider's legs, shin cuffs, and a qualitative method to verify that the lapbar is in an effective position. The park also replaced the manufacturer-issued seatbelts with another consistently-sized type.

afety modifications

During its 8 year history Superman Ride of Steel has undergone numerous safety upgrades. They are listed as followed:

2001 (Immediately following collision)

Brake lines were reinforced to prevent a sudden loss of pressure.

2002 / 2003

An additional brake was added to the final brake run.

2004 (Immediately following the accident)

Metal bars were installed on both sides of the “T-bar” restraint encasing the riders’ legs.

Shin cuffs were added to the lower portion of the “T-bar” restraint preventing riders’ feet from leaving the car.

All of the seat belts on both 36 passenger trains were replaced and installed at a consistent length.

An additional “go or no go” belt was added to each seat and “T-bar” restraint. The “go or no go” belt ensured the “T-bar” restraint was in an effective position for restraining the riders.

2006

The “go or no go” safety belt was removed and replaced with a modern computer system. The new system monitors each individual restraint and determines when the “T-bar” is properly secured. The system will not allow the train to be dispatched until each rider is properly secured.

Rankings

Superman has together with Millennium Force held the top two spots in the Golden Ticket Awards poll for the last seven years in a row.

External links

* [http://www.sixflags.com/newEngland/rides/superman.aspx Six Flags New England's Official Page for Superman: Ride of Steel]
* [http://www.rideofsteel.com/ Fan Site]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7cM47ym_Dc POV Video of Superman: Ride of Steel]

References